News

Come down to Friendship Park (across from Ace) and shop for locally grown produce at our farmer’s market. The market will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 9 am – 7 pm between now and November 17, except for the day of the Friendship Festival (10/6).

We currently have one farmer, and want to expand the market to include produce by local growers as well as presentations and demonstrations related to agriculture and gardening. If you are interested in having a booth, please view the rules and download the application. There is currently no fee for the permit.

Join us Friday, July 27, 2018 at 11:00 am for the groundbreaking for the new library expansion. The library will relocate temporarily to the Blue Willow Village beginning in August. We appreciate the assistance of everyone in helping arrange for a temporary location, and this location should be most convenient for the public during the library construction period. The library expansion is funded in part by City of Social Circle SPLOST funds, as well as funds from the State of Georgia and The Uncle Remus Library System.

As your natural gas distributor, the City of Social Circle is required, in accordance with federal regulations, to make you aware of certain safety recommendations regarding your underground natural gas piping. The City of Social Circle operates our gas system with an emphasis on safety. We are required to design, operate, and maintain our underground natural gas pipeline system in accordance with prescribed federal safety standards.

The gas department does not maintain the gas piping downstream of the gas meter. This is the responsibility of the customer who owns that piping. If the buried pipe is not properly maintained, it may be subject to corrosion (if the piping is metallic) and/or leakage. To ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of these lines, the buried piping should be checked periodically. You (or the building owner) are advised to contact a licensed plumber or heating contractor to assist you in locating and inspecting your buried gas piping. If any unsafe condition is found, repairs must be made ASAP. The Yellow Pages are an excellent source for listings of licensed plumbers and heating contractors.

If we can answer any questions regarding this notice, please call Social Circle City Hall at 770-464-2380. You may disregard this notice if you do not have buried piping beyond the gas meter.

The construction of the new playground at Burks Field Park is almost complete! The final step will be spreading the mulch and placing the mulch barrier around the perimeter of the playground.

And we need YOU!

At 5:30 pm, Thursday, July 5, we will host a community work day to put the finishing touches on the playground. Please come and do what you can. If you have rakes, shovels or sledge hammers, please bring them.

Then make plans to join us on Saturday, July 7 at 9:30 am for the ribbon cutting for the new playground. Burks Field Park is located on Vine Circle. We will have refreshments available.

The playground is paid for by $50,000 in City Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and is a cooperative project between the City, community, and the Kiwanis Club of Social Circle.

We hope all citizens will take pride in and ownership of this beautiful new playground.

The City of Social Circle is committed to supplying you with the highest quality of water possible. The purpose of this report is to raise your understanding of drinking water safety. The city will not be providing copies of this water report by mail to each customer. Customers can download the report below and copies are also available at City Hall upon request.

Join us on June 15 at 6:30 pm for the groundbreaking for the new Burk Field Playground on Vine Circle. The playground is paid for by $50,000 in City Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds and is a cooperative project between the City, community, and the Kiwanis Club of Social Circle.

Construction should begin about June 18 and be completed by July 1. Watch for announcements concerning the ribbon-cutting.

Public Hearings have been scheduled by City Council to seek citizen input into setting of the tax rate for the year 2018.

Under Georgia law, whenever property values in the city as a whole increase, or the tax rate, known as millage rate, increases, the City Council must hold at least three public hearings to explain the property tax change.

The total City budget is $12.8 million for the 2018 fiscal year. A millage rate is being considered that would provide $1.45 million from property taxes. A stable property tax income is necessary in order to continue to provide essential city services such as police, fire, and street maintenance. The balance of revenues comes from local option sales tax, utility fees, permits and licenses.

Mayor and City Council are considering a tax rate of 7.900 mills or $0.007900. This is an increase of 0% from the current rate of $0.00790.

Assessed property values in the city limits of Social Circle increased 2.09% on average this year. The roll back tax rate would be 7.738 mills or $0.007738 which would eliminate the effect of any increase in property value. In addition, property tax revenues will increase due to new construction and industries whose incentive property tax abatement has expired, such that they are paying property taxes on more of the value of their property.

The millage rate is applied to 40% of the assessed value of the property. For example, the proposed tax for a home with a fair market value of $100,000 is approximately $316.00 at a rate of 7.9 mills as compared to $309.52 at the rollback rate of 7.738 mills resulting in an increase of approximately $6.48.

Three public hearings have been scheduled on the proposal of a 7.9 mill property tax rate. Public Hearing dates and times are:

June 12, 2018 Noon Social Circle Community Room

June 12, 2018 6:00 p.m. Social Circle Community Room

June 19, 2018 6:30 p.m. Social Circle Community Room

The Social Circle community room is located at 138 East Hightower Trail, Social Circle, GA

On Friday, May 11, 2018, at approximately 3:10 p.m. the Social Circle Police Department responded to a report of a suspicious person that was near the Social Circle Library. When officers arrived they spoke with the 11 year old juvenile and mother about the incident. The juvenile stated that she was walking to the library from the Social Circle Elementary school when an older model grey vehicle pulled off the side of the road. The juvenile stated that an older white male rolled the window down and asked if she needed a ride. The juvenile stated that she got scared and ran to the Social Circle Library and called her mother. Her mother then called for our assistance.

The man and vehicle were described as:

Older White Male

Tattoo on the lower right side of his neck (possible rose or gun black in color)

Older model four-door vehicle

Rear door windows were tinted

“We have been and will continue to provide extra patrol the area during dismissal hours. We encourage everyone to report any and all suspicious activity by calling 911,” says Chief Oliver.

Payments

About Social Circle

Social Circle is a historic community located about 50 miles east of Atlanta in the Historic Heartlands section of Georgia, primarily in rural Walton County and bridging into Newton County. Our population is approximately 5000. We are a small town with a big heart and we are a community which honors our history while looking toward our future.